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Have you used mental health apps within the last two years? I ask this question because since the beginning of the pandemic, mental illness in America has seen a dramatic increase. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, one in five adults experience mental illness each year.
As a matter of fact, in 2020 over 20 million Americans experienced major depressive disorder (MDD). With a growing prevalence of mental illness, it is apparent there is a gap in psychological support across America. Many people are turning to new innovative mental health tools and resources to help manage their mental health conditions. Mental health apps happen to be one of the tools people are turning to.
Yet with app stores full of thousands of recommendations, how do you navigate apps for mental health? What does it take to find the right app for you and your specific mental health condition?
When people navigate mental health apps, it's important to know there are over 10,000 digital mental health apps available for download. Finding the right mental health app can be such a challenge with such an extensive list of search results. The search results can bring back a wide array of app options. The range can be from meditation guidance, access to a licensed therapist, and focus on cognitive behavioral therapy methods. There could be options for mood trackers, sleep relaxation, and so much more. Despite the vast options falling under the same umbrella, mental health apps differentiate in two ways.
In the world of mental health apps, there are either traditional health/wellness apps or digital therapeutics apps. Wellness apps mean to promote wellness and well-being. These apps have no attached clinical evidence to signify they do what they claim. Wellness apps track and or monitor data to promote a healthy lifestyle. They can also be easily downloaded by anyone. In contrast, digital therapeutics mean to focus on specific clinical conditions. These apps have regulatory bodies which show clinical evidence that they prevent, manage, and or treat a medical condition. Digital therapeutics have to be prescribed by a health professional.
Yes, there are an extensive amount of wellness apps and digital therapeutics to choose from. It can be overwhelming to try to sort them all out. When searching for a digital mental health app, there are some tips that are general practice. A general starting point is to ask your primary care physician/medical provider if they recommend any particular apps for mental health.
If your provider doesn't have any ideal recommendation, ask them if they would share what apps other patients are using. To further narrow the scope, ask your provider what they would recommend for your specific mental health condition or needs. If your primary care physician cannot offer recommendations, that is largely due to the lack of research and clinical professionals expert recommendations on apps. Available research would surely help us navigate mental health apps. Be aware that research moves along slower than the time it takes to develop an app.
Another way to find the right mental health app is by personally trying out an app, "me-search”. One of the great things is being able to try out the apps yourself. Trying out apps allows you to determine if it resonates well and alleviate symptoms. As you try out a particular app, track your anxiety, depression, and or other symptoms. If an app is not improving symptoms, try a different app since all apps are not the same. An additional way to find the right apps for mental health is if it mentions research. Look further into the mention of research on the app’s website and find out what is going on. Take it a step further by seeing if mental health professionals are the app creators. This isn't a limited list to find the right digital mental health app to improve your life.
There are realistic approaches to help you navigate mental health apps on app stores.
When it comes to improving mental health for more people, there are many startling facts. One of them being that there are not enough mental health professionals to handle the growing mental health crisis. With so few mental health professionals, wellness apps and digital therapeutics are able to eliminate gaps of traditional mental health care management. They are able to do so by becoming a treatment regimen. These apps provide additional coping skills, medication management, therapy, and or specialized care for people with mental health conditions. Online apps along with other digital health platforms will be able to maximize the work that mental health professionals use. This technology allows them to reach more people in the middle of this mental health crisis.
The stressors of the week do not fit into 50-60 minutes sessions many people with mental health conditions receive. Digital tools provide immediate assistance in the palm of your hand. So much could transpire while waiting to see a professional. Medical providers can help people find the benefits of mental health apps. Wellness apps and digital therapeutics can supplement provider treatment plans. In-app programs that target specific mental health conditions. Mental health is constant and doesn't fit in a time slot. When people need immediate support or help, these mental health tools are the bridge.
It is evident that the pandemic has affected the mental health and wellness of millions of people across the world. However, it has also stirred up the conversation about mental health. This sparked conversation has been a significant part of dismantling the stigma associated with mental health and mental illness. However, in the world of stigma there is both bad news and good news. Here is the bad news: mental health stigma is every present and is still very real. Whereas the good news: mental health stigma is becoming less than normal.
Digital mental health tools are becoming part of the reason why stigma is reducing. People receive a slow introduction to mental health treatment through mental health apps. These apps allow people to learn new skills when they aren't comfortable with the idea of a mental health provider. Some people may not want to get up to physically go see a mental healthcare provider. Digital mental health apps may appeal to some individuals in these areas and reach more people who need help.
Everyone on the face of this Earth has mental health. Just as we all have mental health, we all have moments of mental distress. Mental health apps may be the antidote to stigma. They help people understand what they are going through and get skills, strategies, and benefits to get care. The additional antidote to stigma is telling stories. Yes, the power of narratives defuse stigma. Talk about your mental health journey to be impactful to others. Transparent storytelling normalizes things and lets people know that it's okay to not be okay.
The world of mental health apps does not have to be complicated.
The Potential Risk of Mental Health Apps
As you navigate mental health apps, there are concerns when selecting the best mental health app to use. Some of the biggest worries when it comes to mental health apps is personal data storage and privacy. Do you truly know where that data is being stored and let alone who has this data? There are evidence based mental health apps which are FDA approved that regulate where your data is stored. However, you will have to rigorously search for them if that is a concern for you.
That means looking through numerous apps to find one that appeals to your needs for both your condition and personal privacy. Trying out numerous apps brings up a concern that people won't seek out help if they can’t find an app. After failing to find a good mental health app, they may believe there is no hope for them. However, hope is prevalent through various treatment options.
These treatment options can be personalized for mental health symptoms/needs. There are times when it is best to seek assistance from a mental health professional. Those include when you are experiencing mental health conditions that affect your ability to do work effectively and have relationships. In addition, if you have thoughts that no one would care that you are here, seek clinical care. If friends and family show notice that they don’t think you are okay, tell them that you need support.
Mental health apps show promise for how they can improve the lives of people who have mental health conditions. Medical centers can utilize wellness apps and digital therapeutics to treat patients. They can also be in medical centers to be a part of care plans. This approach will help bridge the gap of mental health care availability that is prevalent across the nation.
People are on a wait list to receive mental healthcare treatment from psychologists, general practitioners, psychiatrists, and more. Mental healthcare professionals don't have many options when they are unable to treat people. They give them referrals to other practices and professionals. All of these other offices are likely to have a wait list as well. Yet, the revolutionary thing about this issue is that one day wellness apps and digital therapeutics will be the solution.
They are the innovative key to close this type of care gap. As people navigate mental health apps, beneficial work is being done to demystify them. A time is approaching where people can know what they are, what they assist with, and how they are regulated to help with their mental health conditions. Ultimately, everyone deserves to have access to resources that will make them the best versions of themselves.
The sense of urgency to ensure people are able to have not only access to mental well-being is increasing. The shift to provide mental healthcare through digital tools is innovative. This is a move in the right direction to address the national mental health crisis. Mental health apps have the potential to deliver the happiness so many hope to have in life. The large number of wellness apps or digital therapeutics apps offer an array of options. With the right strategy, people can easily sort through these apps. That will lead them to find the best mental health app for their clinical needs and preferences.
How do you feel about digital apps for mental health? In addition, what do you think are some of the benefits of these mental health tools?
About the Author
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided by the author and not of Therapy Panda. This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from Therapy Panda.
